Peyton lifted the bat above her head and quietly sucked in a breath. Careful not to make the floor creak, she stepped lightly onto her foot and peeked around the corner. The intruder was petite—she could tell from the shadow and looked like a woman. When the woman came nearer, she could tell that she was carrying something. Nonetheless, Peyton's bat cut through the air along with the shriek of the victim and a sob. Peyton had missed—but just barely. However, the scream was familiar. She flicked on the hallway light and almost fainted at what she saw.
"Nikki?" she asked, shielding her eyes from the suddenly bright light.
"Blondie" Nikki quipped. "Where's Jake?"
"Following you" Peyton retaliated, paying close attention to Nikki's bundle.
"No, he found me about two months back, but he lost in court and left."
"Where did he go?"
"I guessed he'd come back here to you. That's why I came."
"No" Peyton said sadly. "I haven't even heard from him."
"Well, then, I guess you'll have to do this on your own."
"Do what?"
"Take Jenny" Nikki said calmly as she motioned at the bundle that she had just set on the ground.
"Jenny!" Peyton wailed, afraid to witness the condition that the precious little girl had been kept in. She ran to the blankets and opened them to reveal Jenny, asleep and looking very comfortable.
"Were you worried I'd hurt my kid?"
"Wouldn't put it past you. Why did you bring her?"
"Because, Peyton, my life didn't go exactly as planned. I used to be like you. I had friends, a great boyfriend, and a really cool mom. But then I got pregnant with Jenny and she kicked me out because I wouldn't have an abortion. I kept telling her that Jake and I could handle it, but she didn't believe me. So when Jenny was born, her words came back to me and I got scared and left. I thought I could come back and do the whole mom thing, but I'm still not ready."
"But you fought so hard for Jenny."
"I know I did, but I can't believe I let myself take Jake's little girl."
"That's not what you said... you didn't even think she was his."
"She is. I couldn't do that to Jake. I didn't sleep around in high school."
"So why this sudden turn around. I'm not buying this crap" Peyton said bitterly, hardly believing her ears. "You fought Jake for his child and cost him everything and then you just bring her back? What's really going on, Nikki?"
"I made a mistake, Peyton."
"What?"
"To get money... I had to... you know... do some less-than-honorable work. And let's just say I got into the same mess again."
"You're pregnant again?"
"Well...yeah."
"Do you know whose it is?"
"Just that it's some sleazy banker's or lawyer's."
"Nikki..."
"No, I don't want your sympathy or your crap or your safe sex talk. I want you to take Jenny."
"Okay."
"Okay." She turned to leave. "Oh, Peyton?"
"Yeah?"
"Tell Jake that Jenny deserves to have a dad and a mom. That's why she's here."
"Okay. I will." And with that, one woman became a mother. One woman gave her child a better life. And one man's family waited patiently for their lives to begin.